By this all people will know...

"Where there is no vision the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." 

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

This verse, though not often quoted, has been a private mantra for me for many years. It is a deep truth that I feel we often overlook. It is a verse that has been often misquoted, by myself as well. Many who use it are quick to use part "a" but leave out part "b." I, on occasion, will cite or quote a verse like this (in part) if my general explanation is compliant with the entire context and the other part isn't necessary to the discussion. However, I am typically one of those annoying people who is a stickler for quoting scripture in context. The depth of this verse doesn't rest solely in the instruction to pursue purpose and vision but also in the correlation between vision and law, between perishing and happiness.

"Where there is no vision..."

What does it mean to lack vision? Why does blindness affect us to the point of bringing death, of causing us to perish? In the Hebrew, the word here for vision is khaw zone' which mean "mental sight" or "revelation." To what understanding is this revelation that we must have to prevent death? It must be the revelation of Christ, who is himself life everlasting. Jesus said of himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE" (John 14:6). But it doesn't stop here, this "vision" that prevents death is deeper than the simple knowledge of Christ, but refers to knowing of Christ - an intimate knowing. We see that "in the beginning was the word" and this word "was God" and the word "became flesh" and "dwelt among men" (John 1:1-18). Christ, though also life, is the word: the law of God. Revelation of Jesus is revelation of God's law - which Christ summed up with two of the commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:34-40). The summary of this statement, "where there is no vision," can be stated like this: "without the revelation of the law of God which is Christ." And what is this revelation other than a revelation of the love of God?

"...the people perish"

Paul and James both teach that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23 and James 1:15). Of all of the commandments, the law and prophets are summed up in loving God supremely and loving our neighbors (others) as ourselves, then logic would say that the root of sin is the absence of love. To be clearer, the root of sin is the absence of righteous love. The word love, as its simplest understanding, is to "have strong affection towards or a strong desire for" something. In the moment of my sin, my desire (love) was for my sin rather than my savior. The interesting thing about this is that the word translated as perish in this verse is the Hebrew word paw rah' which means "to uncover, to loosen, to let" - the implication is to "make something free." Which makes perfect sense if you compare this to Jame 1:14-15, "each person is lured and enticed by his own desire.." and then goes on to say that this desire gives birth to sin and "when it is fully grown brings forth death." When we lack the revelation of Christ and the law of love, we are given over to (release) our desire which lures us on a path to death through temptation and sin.

"but he that keepeth the law..."

How do we keep the law? And, if salvation does not come by works, how does keeping the law bring life? If you see the law as a complex list of do's and don'ts, you miss the work of Christ and do not understand the law of love. When we have each come to the knowledge and revelation of the resurrection of Christ, we are endowed with certain rights and privileges that pertain to the law of love. As my friend and fellow missionary, Joe Holman, puts it, "love is not something we make or manufacture, but something you receive from God in order to take to other people." We love because "He first loved us." A great analogy from the mouth of Jesus is this: "I am the vine and you are the branches...apart from me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5). After we come to truly know Jesus, we must remain connected to the vine. Only then, can we bear fruit in accordance with the law of God. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control all flow out of a connection to Christ that is held together by love that the Father gives us, desire and affection towards Christ, his mission, and to all of creation.

"...happy is he." 

Our modern english translation loses the full meaning of the word happy in this verse. Eh' sher actually is used more like an interjection in the original language. It would be more appropriate to read it as "how happy is he!" It isn't just a momentary feeling of pleasantness, but great joy. I doubt this proverb would ring true if it were telling us that law keepers, those rigid people to follow the rule of the law rather than the ruler of the law, are the happiest. No. Happiness (joy) comes from the fulfillment of desire. I am happy because I married (now have) this wife I desired. I am happy because I am now eating this delicious cake I wanted. I am happy because my desire that the loud music next-door stop has been fulfilled. We are overwhelmed with joy, because the law of love working within us produces a desire for Christ and a desire to honor those around me by meeting their needs. My love prompts my works and my works bring fulfillment and that fulfillment makes me joyful. And my joy produces more love. It's a cycle, and it's purpose is so we can continue to be conformed into the image of Christ.

The goal of our lives here on earth is measured by this: am I becoming more like Jesus. This is the mark of success. This is the vision and purpose we seek: that Christ be manifest in us. The "vision" of the joy/race set before us gives us life, that produces great joy - this is the "joy of the Lord" that gives us strength to endure until the end. Our vision keeps us "delighting in the law of the Lord." The vision of Christ and the revelation of his work in our hearts and lives brings life, but the absence of it produces death, because we are left to fall into the snare of the desires of our flesh. "But he that keepeth the law, happy is he!"

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35, ESV)